There beinge of late a Generall assembly of these plantacions in this River and fallinge into consideracion of divers particulers that might or may concerne the generall good of these parts, as alsoe our eyes reflectinge toward your selues from whence most of vs haue of late yssued into these quarters And beinge desirous to reteine that old loue and familiarity which formerly wee enioyed, And beinge confidently perswaded that your endes of Comminge into these westerne partes were and soe remaine the same with our selues, Which was to establish the lord Jesus in his Kingly Throne as much as in vs lies here in his churches and to maynteine the Common Cause of his gospell with our liues and estates, And whereas wee knowe that our profession will finde fewe frends vppon the face of the earth if occasion serue and therefore vnlikely to haue any ayde or succour from Forraine parts if our neede should soe require, It is our wisdom therefore to ymprove what wee haue to walke close with our God and to combine and vnite our selues to walke and liue peaceably and lovingly togeather that soe if there be Cause wee may joine hartes and hands to maynteine the Common Cause aforesaide and to defend our priviledges and freedomes wee nowe enioye against all opposers. And although our Beginnings be but smale yet gods power is most seene in weakenes and as you knowe Concordia parvae res crescunt discordia magnae dilabuntur. And wee make noe doubt but your wisdomes will easilie conceiue that the way to continue our loue each to other and to liue in peace is to bringe our selues to some Rules Articles and agreements by which wee may be regulated and to which wee may haue recourse as the bottom vppon which our Peace and loue may be anchored and may be as evidence to each in case either should goe aboute through any Corrupcion to make a breach And for this wee haue an example in Davide and Jonathan although their loue was greate each to other yet they made a Covenante to perpetuate the same Wee therefore presuminge of your readines this waye as hath beene heretofore manifested haue thought meete to request our Beloued John Haines esq. William Pyncheon esqr. and Mr. John Steele to treate with your selues con­37cerninge the premisses accordinge to such instruccions as they haue received from vs And wee haue authorized them with Comission to conclude in wrytinge of such thinges as are agreed on by both sides. some particulers they will ympart vnto you and therefore wee shall desire they may haue speedy Audience and may haue full aunsweres from your selues that there may bee noe longer delayes but that there may bee certeine Conclusions betweene vs to which wee may haue recourse as aboue said as occasion serue. And soe with our loue wee commend you and your proceedinges to the Almighty and rest Your lovinge frend

I sometimes feare that my lines are as thick and over busie as the Muskeetoes etc. but your wisedome will conniue, and your Loue will cover etc.

2 things at present for Informacion.

First in the affaires of the most High; his late dreadfull voice and hand: that audible and sensible Voice the Earthquake.2

All these parts felt it, (whether beyond the Nanhiggonsick I yet learne not) for my selfe I scarce perceaved ought but a kind of Thunder and a gentle mooving etc. and it was no more this way to many of our owne and the Natiues apprehensions, and but one sudden short motion.

The younger Natiues are ignorant of the like: but the Ellder informe me that this is the 5th within these 4 score yeare in the Land: the first about 3 score and 10 yeare since: the second some 3 score and 4 yeare since the third some 54 yeare since the 4th some 46 since: and they allwayes observed either plauge or pox or some other epidemicall disease followed: 3 4 or 5 yeare after the Earthquake, (or Naunaumemoauke, as they speake).

He be mercifully pleased himselfe to interprete and open his owne Ridles and graunt (if it be pleasing in his Eyes) it may not be for Destruction but (as the Earthquake before the Gaolors Conversion) a meanes of shaking and turning of all hearts (which are his) English or Indian, to him: to further 38this (if the Lord please) the Earthquake sensibly tooke about a thoughsand of the natiues in a most sollemne meeting for play etc.

2ndly a word in mine owne particular, only for Informacion I owe betweene 50 and 60li to Mr. Cradock for Commodities receaved from Mr. Mayhew: Mr. Mayhew will testifie that (being Mr. Cradocks agent) he was content to take payment, what (and when) my howse at Salem yealded: accordingly I long since put it into his hand, and he into Mr. Jollies, who beside my voluntarie Act and his Attachment since, sues as I heare for dammages, which I question: since I haue not failed against Contract and Content of the first Agent but the holy pleasure of the Lord be done: vnto whose mercifull Armes (with all due respects) I leaue you, wishing heartily that mercie and goodnes may euer follow you and yours